Mayor Kerry Thomson

Page last updated on July 29, 2025 at 4:37 pm

 Digital Opportunity and the Digital Divide

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The City of Bloomington has been working diligently for several years to improve the broadband environment in Bloomington.  Digital opportunity is an important and integral part of this effort. Digital opportunity refers to the fair distribution of the internet and modern technology throughout society. Factors that contribute to digital opportunity include access to the internet; the quality of internet service; the availability of quality computing devices; and one's training, comfort, and ability to effectively use computers and the internet. 

You may have heard the term digital divide, which highlights the gaps between those with robust access to digital tools and those without. These gaps often reflect broader social and economic disparities, including income, level, age, location, and other factors. 

With the goal of improving access to digital resources in our community, the City developed a Strategic Plan in 2020 to address the digital divide. The first major activity in the development of our plan was the creation and administration of a scientific survey of Bloomington residents on digital and broadband access in April. That survey was completed by 1080 respondents. Building on the results of the survey, we have consulted with stakeholders and the public to draft the strategic plan itself. 

 

Digital Opportunity Initiative with mStreet Fiber& GigabitNow

mStreet Fiber is building a new open-access fiber network in Bloomington. As part of this effort, mStreet Fiber, the City of Bloomington and GigabitNow have launched a program to deliver low-cost, high-speed internet to income-eligible households.

Program Highlights:

  • $9.99/month for fast, reliable fiber internet (250 Mbps up/down)
  • No data caps, no throttling
  • This program will be available at all Bloomington Housing Authority properties
  • Funded local support: mStreet Fiber hired staff, and provides $85,000 for city staffing and supplies

Who Qualifies?
Residents eligible for programs like SNAP, Medicaid, Section 8, WIC, TANF, SSI, and others may qualify. Full list and details at:
www.gigabitnow.com/bloomington/fiber-for-all

For information about ongoing fiber construction and Gigabit Now's ISP services, Bloomington residents should call or email GigabitNow Support at support@gigabitnow.com or 1-866-748-8066 or support@gigabitnow.com

 

Digital Opportunity Activities

 

 

  • Bloomington recognized as Digital Inclusion Trailblazer: 2022, 2021, 2023 & 2024 

 

 

Digital Survey

The City of Bloomington conducted a Digital Community survey assessing how residents use internet services in April 2020. The survey was sent to a randomized sample of 6,500 Bloomington households and was completed by 1,080 respondents. The survey’s full results are available here: https://bton.in/dcs02. 

Some preliminary findings from the Digital Community Survey include:

  • Broadband service is available in Bloomington, but speed, reliability, customer service and cost factors limit adoption.
  • Low-income households are much more likely to lack internet access or only have internet access through smart phones. 12% of low income respondents never interact with the internet.
  • The homework gap (problems completing homework due to internet deficiencies) is significant for lower bandwidth households
  • Existing subsidy programs from internet service providers aren’t fully being used by eligible residents.
  • Caregivers are concerned about risks and their ability to protect minor children from online harms.
  • Low income residents report a lack of desired computing skills and are interested in training to improve skills.
  • The skills gap is pronounced for low income and older residents.  50% of respondents think they do not have the skills they need to use internet effectively and comfortably.
  • Fully half of respondents said their job requires internet access at home.
  • There is broad support for the City doing more to address digital opportunity issues and to improve broadband in Bloomington.

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